Zaxby’s robber steals cash, shoots employee

LAKELAND, Tenn.—Although hospitalized, the employee shot Aug 17 in an armed robbery at the Lakeland Zaxby’s is fine, according to a Zaxby’s spokesman the next morning.

It was about 10:20 p.m. and an employee was taking garbage out back after the restaurant closed. He faced a black male holding a small handgun. The two struggled, and the intruder shot the employee in his forearm, said Earl Farrell, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office public information officer.

The suspect forced the wounded victim back inside and into the office, where he made the manager open the safe. He fled with an unspecified amount of money. Farrell estimated that the whole incident probably was over within about five minutes.

The suspect wasn’t wearing gloves, so there is a possibility of fingerprints at the scene. He wore a hoodie, had a low haircut and also had pulled up his black T-shirt to cover part of his face.

The shooting victim also had a slight injury to his face and was later taken to Regional Medical Center in Memphis in stable condition. Farrell said Thursday that the investigation is still active and the SCSO is not currently releasing the victim’s name. No one else among the staff was hurt.

Anyone with information about this robbery is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (901) 528-CASH.